Scissors skills you need to trim your beard
Trimming your beard with scissors isn’t easy – it takes time and patience to master the art. You need the right tools, and given the hard to reach areas around the moustache and under the chin, a steady hand as well. You may make mistakes along the way, that happens to the best beardsmen, but like anything, over time and with practice, you’ll become a scissor master and enjoy the most accurate trimming results possible.
Don’t skimp on the scissors
Scissors will be your primary tool for creating a neat and stylish beard and moustache, so don’t go for a cheap pair. Avoid scissors that may rust or have imperfections that can pull at your skin resulting in an uncomfortable and inaccurate trimming experience. And whatever you do, avoid kitchen scissors or garden shears like the plague, the hassle is simply not worth the risk. Trimming your beard and moustache with scissors is a delicate job, so make sure yours are top quality.
Treat your beard like a beard
Preparing your beard is the first vital step, after ensuring you have a great pair of scissors, to enjoying a great trimming experience. The hair on your face is vastly different to the hair on your head, so whatever you do, don’t wash your beard with hair shampoo and conditioner. The result will be dry skin and clogged pores, which are counterproductive, so always use a beard shampoo and conditioner.
After washing your beard, don’t even think about trimming it until it’s completely dry. Use a towel and hairdryer if you need to trim straight away, or wait for it to air dry naturally. As your beard hair dries it will contract slightly, so trimming while damp may result in a shorter trim than expected once the beard dries.
Final pre-trim step
For some this is the best part of beard maintenance. Grab a beard brush or comb and brush down the hair in the direction it naturally goes. Then comb it out in the opposite direction to puff it out, before finally combing it down again. Repeat these steps until you’re satisfied all of the hairs are out and available to be trimmed, and you’ve had enough of the awesome feeling a good beard brushing provides!
Let’s get started!
The best way to trim your beard and moustache is with a great pair of scissors and a comb. Hairdressers and barbers use combs to help ensure they maintain an even length in the hair during the cutting and trimming process, and you should do the same.
The best place to start trimming your beard is along the jaw line and cheek area. Insert the comb from the jaw line up and into the beard, and trim the desired amount that is protruding through the teeth of the comb. Be careful not to trim too much off; you can always trim more off if it’s still too long, but you can’t replace it if you cut too much away! Keep trimming both sides of your face from the ear down to the outer edge of the chin area until you’re happy with the length. Give your face a comb to ensure you’ve got every hair and there aren’t any stragglers.
The moustache and chin can be tricky!
This is where your steady hand will play a major role in creating a stylish, even beard and moustache. There are lots of angles to work with in this region, so take your time and get it right, especially if you’re new to using scissors to trim. Start by brushing all of the hairs in your moustache down, then insert the comb from the top lip up and into the body of the moustache and trim just the ends. Comb the hairs down again and trim the ends of the hairs that protrude below the top lip freehand. Once you’re happy with the moustache, repeat the process for the chin. Comb the hairs down, insert the comb from underneath the chin into the body of the hairs, and trim just the ends until you’re happy with the length.
Now for the neck!
This is a delicate area to trim with scissors because one small mistake could mean a cut to the skin. A steady hand is required to trim the hairs close to the skin without causing any damage, so if you wish to go down this path, be careful. Use the comb to guide you along the way, and trim slowly and carefully until you get the hang of it.
Alternatively, a good beard trimmer is a great option as it’s faster, safer and you still get an accurate trim. Use the guides to ensure you trim your neck hair to the desired length, and then grab your safety razor or straight razor to shave any hair from the top of your Adam’s Apple down. Don’t make the mistake of shaving all of your neck hair off, or not shaving any at all, so you need to find the right balance.
The finishing touches
When you think you’re done give your beard a good brush down to ensure there aren’t any stray hairs that have escaped the scissors. Brushing your beard at the end will also remove any trimmed hairs that have been caught up in the beard that could result in ingrown hairs and other irritations. Apply a few drops of beard oil or beard balm to give your beard a nice healthy glow while moisturizing the hairs and face.
Time to show the world
Now that you’ve trimmed that awesome beard into a style that perfectly compliments the shape of your face and the way your beard grows, it’s time to stand tall, pin the shoulders back, puff the chest out, get outside and conquer the world. After all, there’s no point in growing a magnificent beard if you’re going to stay at home. So get out there and enjoy the envious and admiring glances that are certain to come your way!
